JP3947390B2

JP3947390B2 - Connector connection device and method

Info

Publication number: JP3947390B2
Application number: JP2001359794A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 智之長峰; 宰保田
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2001-11-26
Filing date: 2001-11-26
Publication date: 2007-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-26
Also published as: JP2003163057A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、電線に装着されたコネクタと他の電線に装着されたコネクタとを作業効率よく接続することができるコネクタの接続装置及びその方法に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば自動車には、ライト、ランプ、ワイパー駆動装置等のいろいろな電気機器が搭載されており、これら電気機器は、バッテリーからの給電により駆動される。バッテリーに接続されたワイヤハーネスは車体にその車体に沿って引き回され、その途中に基幹から分岐されてコネクタが装着され、このコネクタに、電気機器に接続されているワイヤハーネスに装着されたコネクタを嵌合させて電気的に接続されている。例えば、自動車の前方のエンジンルーム内のタイヤの上方で、給電側のワイヤハーネスの複数のコネクタと受電側のワイヤハーネスの複数のコネクタとを嵌合接続させている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、給電側のコネクタと受電側のコネクタとを接続させるには、給電側のワイヤハーネスを車体等に配索した後、車体に電気機器を装着してから受電側のワイヤハーネスを配索し、この受電側のコネクタと給電側のコネクタとをそれぞれ別々の手で掴んで、コネクタを互いにつき合せて例えば嵌合させ、電気的に接続させている。これは、給電側のワイヤハーネスは、所々で車体等に固定されているが、コネクタは固定されていないフリーの状態であると共に、受電側のコネクタも固定されていないフリーの状態であるので、どちらか一方の手でどちら一方のコネクタを掴み、他方の手で他方のコネクタを掴まないと、コネクタの嵌合を行えない。このように両手で行わないとコネクタの接続を行えないので、コネクタの接続作業効率が悪い。
そこで、本発明は、このような実状に鑑みなされたものであり、その目的は、コネクタの接続を作業効率よく行えるコネクタの接続装置及びその方法を提供することにある。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記目的を達成するために、本発明のコネクタの接続装置は、電源供給装置に接続されているワイヤハーネスの基幹から分岐して、その長手方向に沿って所定の間隔を隔てて設けられた複数の給電用のコネクタと、駆動装置等の電気機器等に接続されているワイヤハーネスに基幹から分岐してその長手方向に沿って所定の間隔を隔てて設けられた複数の受電用のコネクタとを、前記給電用のコネクタの嵌合凹部に前記受電用のコネクタが先端部から挿入して嵌合接続させ電気的に接続するコネクタの接続装置において、車体等の固定体に固着される装着片と、スライド嵌合によって前記複数の給電用のコネクタを同一方向に向けて係止する複数のコネクタ係合部が所定の間隔を隔てて並列に設けられているコネクタ部と、前記受電用のコネクタが設けられているワイヤハーネスが取り付けられる取付部とを有する一体成形されたコネクタ接続本体からなるものである（請求項１）。
【０００５】
このように構成することで、車体等の固定体に装着したコネクタ接続本体のコネクタ部に一方のコネクタを係止することにより、他方のコネクタのみを手で掴んで一方のコネクタに接続することができるので、コネクタの接続を片手で行える。また、コネクタ接続本体に設けた取付部に、他方のコネクタが装着されたワイヤハーネスを取り付けることで、そのワイヤハーネスが例えば弛んだりしてコネクタ接続本体から離れることがないので、コネクタの接続が容易に行える。しかも、複数の一方のコネクタを並列に係止することができるので、複数のコネクタの接続を容易に行える。したがって、コネクタを作業効率よく接続することができる。
【００１３】
また、本発明のコネクタの接続方法は、電源供給装置に接続されているワイヤハーネスの基幹から分岐して、その長手方向に沿って所定の間隔を隔てて設けられた複数の給電用のコネクタと、駆動装置等の電気機器等に接続されているワイヤハーネスに基幹から分岐してその長手方向に沿って所定の間隔を隔てて設けられた複数の受電用のコネクタとを、前記給電用のコネクタの嵌合凹部に前記受電用のコネクタが先端部から挿入して嵌合接続させ電気的に接続するコネクタの接続方法において、コネクタ接続本体の装着片が車体等の固定体に固着され、所定の間隔を隔てて並列に複数のコネクタ係合部が設けられているコネクタ接続本体のコネクタ部にスライド嵌合によって前記複数の給電用のコネクタが同一方向に向けて係止され、コネクタ接続本体の取付部に前記受電用のコネクタが設けられているワイヤハーネスが取り付けられた状態で、前記給電用のコネクタの嵌合凹部に前記受電用のコネクタを先端部から挿入して前記給電用のコネクタと前記受電用のコネクタとを電気的に接続するものである（請求項２）。
【００１４】
このように構成することで、コネクタ接続本体に取り付けたワイヤハーネスに装着されているコネクタ（他方のコネクタ）と一方のコネクタを接続するときには、一方のコネクタがコネクタ接続本体に係止されているので、コネクタの接続を片手で行える。また、他方のコネクタが接続されたワイヤハーネスがコネクタ接続本体に取り付けられているので、そのワイヤハーネスが例えば弛んだりしてコネクタ接続本体から離れることがなく、容易にコネクタの接続を行える。しかも、複数の一方のコネクタを並列に係止することができるので、複数のコネクタの接続を容易に行える。したがって、コネクタを作業効率よく接続することができる。
【００１５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を添付図面に基づいて詳述する。
図１は本発明のコネクタ接続装置を示す図である。図１において、１はコネクタ接続装置を示し、このコネクタ接続装置１は、例えば自動車のエンジンルーム内に装着されるもので、給電側の電線２のコネクタ３と受電側の電線４のコネクタ５とを嵌合して電気的に接続するものである。
【００１６】
給電側の電線とは、バッテリー等の電源供給装置に接続されている例えばワイヤハーネス２であり、このワイヤハーネス２の一部分に基幹から分岐した給電用のコネクタ３が設けられている。給電用のコネクタ３は、ワイヤハーネス２の配索にもよるが、複数図示例では５つ設けられている。これら給電用のコネクタ３は、ワイヤハーネス２の長手方向に沿って所定の間隔を隔てて配設され、先端部に受電用のコネクタ５が嵌合される嵌合凹部６が設けられた雌コネクタである。
【００１７】
受電側の電線例えばワイヤハーネス４は、例えばライト、ランプ、ワイパー駆動装置等の電気機器等に接続されるものである。このワイヤハーネス４には、基幹から分岐した分岐線４ａを介して各電気機器に接続される受電用のコネクタ５が複数例えば５つ設けられている。受電用のコネクタ５は、ワイヤハーネス４の長手方向に沿って所定の間隔を隔てて設けられ、給電用のコネクタ３の嵌合凹部６内に先端部から挿入して（差し込んで）嵌合するように形成された雄コネクタであり、この受電用コネクタ（雄コネクタ）５と給電用のコネクタ（雌コネクタ）３とを嵌合接続させて、雌雄コネクタ３、５が電気的に接続される。雌雄コネクタ３、５の嵌合形状は、図示するように、コネクタを嵌合させるとき、一方向のみに嵌合し得る形状（例えば雄コネクタ５を反対方向に雌コネクタ３内に差し込んでも嵌合できない形状）に形成することが好ましい。また、雌雄コネクタ３、５を嵌合したとき、雌コネクタ３の係合片３ａの突部（図示せず）と雄コネクタ５の係合凹部５ａとが係合して雄コネクタ３の抜け出が防止されると共に、雄コネクタ５の先端部が雌コネクタ３の嵌合凹部６の壁と接触して雄コネクタ５の嵌合方向前方への移動が防止されるようになっている。
【００１８】
コネクタ接続装置１は、車体等の固定体に着脱自在に固着される装着片８を有するコネクタ接続本体７からなり、コネクタ接続本体７はさらに例えば給電用のコネクタ３を係止するコネクタ部９と、ワイヤハーネス４を取り付ける取付部としての電線取付部１０とを有する。
コネクタ接続本体７の電線取付部１０、装着片８及びコネクタ部９は、図１に示されるように、複数例えば６つの給電用のコネクタ３を並列に係止できるように細長のほぼ矩形板状に合成樹脂の射出成形により一体的に成形されている。
コネクタ接続本体７は、図示例では、細長のほぼ矩形板状に形成されているが、これに限定されることはなく、例えば円状、半円状、楕円状、半楕円状、多角形状等のどのような形状に形成してもよい。
なお、本発明の実施の形態では、コネクタ接続本体７に給電用のコネクタ３を係止させるが、受電用のコネクタ５を係止させるようにしてもよい。
【００１９】
コネクタ接続本体７の長辺縁部の一方の縁部（第１縁部）７ａの一端部及び他端部の近傍に、それぞれ装着片８、８が設けられている。
装着片８は、コネクタ接続本体７の表面に沿うと共に第１縁部７ａからそのほぼ幅方向に沿って延出された延出部１１と、その延出部１１のほぼ中央部や第１縁部７ａの近傍で屈曲され、車体に接触する装着部１２とから断面ほぼＬ字状に形成されている。装着片８の屈曲角度は、特に限定されず、コネクタ接続本体７を例えば車体に装着したとき、コネクタ３、５の接続が容易に行えるような任意の角度に設定することが好ましく、具体的には例えば６０°である。
【００２０】
各装着部１２には、それぞれ貫通孔１３が設けられ、これら貫通孔１３にボルト、ネジ等の固定部材が貫通挿入されて、コネクタ接続本体７が車体等の固定体に着脱自在に固着されるようになっている。
装着片８が曲っている側のコネクタ接続本体７の面が表であり、このコネクタ接続本体７の表の面の一部から延出部１１の装着部側の端部までの表面と、その端部から装着部１２のほぼ中央部までの表面とを連続して連結する三角形状の補強板１４が一体的に設けられている。補強板１４は、コネクタ接続本体７及び装着片８に対してほぼ直交する方向に沿って延在し、コネクタ接続本体７の長手方向に沿って各装着片８に複数例えば２つ又は３つ所定の間隔を隔てて設けられ、装着片８の変形が防止されるようになっている。
【００２１】
コネクタ接続本体７の他方の長辺の縁部（第２縁部）７ｂには、コネクタ接続本体７に対してほぼ直交する方向であって装着片８が屈曲されている方向とは反対方向に延出するコネクタ部９が設けられてる。コネクタ部９は、細長の矩形板状に形成されて、コネクタ接続本体７とコネクタ部９とにより断面ほぼＬ字状に形成されている。この角度はほぼ９０°であるが、これに限定されず、コネクタの係止が容易に行えるように他の角度に設定してもよい。
コネクタ部９の内側が裏面であり、この裏面とコネクタ接続本体７の裏面とを連続して連結する三角形状の補強板１５が一体的に複数設けられ、コネクタ部９の変形が防止されるようになっている。補強板１５は、コネクタ接続本体７及びコネクタ部９に対してほぼ直交する方向に沿って延在し、コネクタ接続本体７の長手方向に沿って所定の間隔を隔てて複数設けてもよいが、装着片８が設けられている部分のみに複数設けるようにしてもよい。
【００２２】
コネクタ部９の表面には、その長手方向に沿って給電側のワイヤハーネス２に装着された給電用のコネクタ３を係止するコネクタ係合部１６が所定の間隔を隔てて並列に複数設けられている。コネクタ係合部１６の数は、給電側のワイヤハーネス２の基幹から分岐されうる最大のコネクタ数と同じであることが好ましい。
コネクタ係合部１６は、給電用のコネクタ３を受電用のコネクタ５が係合し得るように係止することができるならばどのように構成してもよいが、好ましくは、図示するように、係止した給電用のコネクタ３の先端部（嵌合凹部６の先端部）がコネクタ接続本体７の表面とほぼ同一面上に位置されかつ同一方向に向けて係止されるようにコネクタ係合部１６及びそのコネクタ係合部１６に係合する給電用のコネクタ３のスライド係合部１７を形成することが好ましい。
【００２３】
具体的には、コネクタ係合部１６は、一対のガイドレール１８、１８と、それらガイドレール１８、１８間に設けられた係合突起１９とからなる。
一対のガイドレール１８、１８は、コネクタ部９の幅方向に沿って延在し、コネクタ部９の表面上に平行にその表面に対してほぼ直交する方向に沿って立設されている。一対のガイドレール１８、１８の先端部は相対する方向とは反対側にほぼ直角に折り曲げられて断面ほぼＬ字状に形成されている。この折り曲げられた部分が係合片２０、２０として形成され、給電用のコネクタのスライド係合部１７が係合される。
【００２４】
一対のガイドレール１８、１８のコネクタ接続本体７とは反対側の端部には、係合片２０、２０の内側を閉塞する第１壁部２１が形成されている。
一対のガイドレール１８、１８の間は、凹状の溝部２２として形成され、この溝部２２内には係合突起１９としての可撓自在なロック片２３が設けられている。ロック片２３は、溝部２２の長手方向に沿って延在する板状に形成され、その一端部が溝部２２のコネクタ接続本体７側の端部近傍に取り付けられていると共に、他端部がコネクタ接続本体７側とは反対側に溝部２２の底の上方に位置され、溝部２２の深さ方向に沿って可撓自在に形成されている。
なお、複数のコネクタ係合部１６を並列に配設したが、２段以上の多段に配設するようにしてもよい。この場合には、コネクタ部９を複数のコネクタ係合部１６が多段になるように形成してもよいし、コネクタ接続本体７を複数のコネクタ係合部１６が多段になるように形成してもよい。
【００２５】
そのコネクタ係合部１６にスライド係合するスライド係合部１７は、図２に示すように、給電用のコネクタ３の底壁３ａの外表面に設けられた、一対のスライド部２４、２４と係合突部２５とからなる。
一対のスライド部２４、２４は、コネクタ３の嵌合方向に沿って延在し、底壁３ａに対してほぼ直交する方向に沿って立設されている。スライド部２４の先端部は、相対する方向にほぼ直角に折り曲げられてスライド係合片２６として形成されて、断面ほぼＬ字状になっている。一対のスライド部２４、２４の間隔は、前記一対の係合片２０、２０の先端部の間隔とほぼ同じか若干長く形成されていると共に、スライド係合片２６の長さは、係合片２０の長さとほぼ同じか若干短く形成されて、スライド係合片２６を係合片２０の内側に位置させてスライドさせることにより、給電用のコネクタ３がコネクタ係合部１６にスライド係合されるようになっている。
【００２６】
一対のスライド係合片２６、２６の長さは、好ましくは係合片２０の長さとほぼ同じ寸法に形成することがよい。一対のスライド係合片２６、２６の嵌合凹部６の開口部側の端部には、スライド係合片２６、２６の内側を閉塞する第２壁部２７が形成され、給電用のコネクタ３とコネクタ係合部１６とをスライド係合させたとき、スライド係合片２６の嵌合方向前方の端部の第１壁部２１への接触、又は／及び第２壁部２７の係合片２０のコネクタ接続本体７側の端部への接触により、給電用のコネクタ３の嵌合方向前方への移動が防止されるようになっている。
【００２７】
また、給電用のコネクタ３の底壁３ａの一対のスライド部２４、２４の間には、前記ロック片２３の先端部が係合する係合突部２５が設けられており、スライド係合片２６が第１壁部２１に接触するか、又は第２壁部２７が係合片２０のコネクタ接続本体７側の端部に接触したとき、ロック片２３の先端部が係合凹部６と係合して給電用のコネクタ３のスライド係合方向後方側への移動が防止されて給電用コネクタ３がコネクタ部９に係止されるようになっている。このように、給電用コネクタ３をコネクタ部９に係止させたとき、給電用のコネクタ３の嵌合凹部６の開口部がコネクタ接続本体７の表面とほぼ同一面上に位置させるように、コネクタ係合部１６及びスライド係合部１７を形成するようにすることが好ましい。
係合突部２５の嵌合方向前方側には、コネクタ３をコネクタ係合部１６にスライド係合させるとき、ロック片２３の先端部が容易に係合突部２５を乗り越えられるように漸次傾斜したテーパ部２５ａが設けられている。
【００２８】
コネクタ接続本体７の表面には、図１に示すように、受電用のワイヤハーネス４を取り付ける電線取付部１０が設けられている。
電線取付部１０は、受電用のワイヤハーネス４を取り付けたとき、そのワイヤハーネス４に装着されている受電用のコネクタ５をコネクタ部９に係止された給電用のコネクタ３に嵌合接続し得る位置に設けられることは言うまでもなく、好ましくは容易に嵌合接続し得る位置である。特に好ましくは、ワイヤハーネス４をその長手方向がコネクタ接続本体７の長手方向にほぼ沿うと共に、コネクタ部９に係止された給電用のコネクタ３の近傍のコネクタ３、５の嵌合接続が容易に行える箇所で、受電用のワイヤハーネス４の基幹から分岐されている分岐箇所が給電用のコネクタ３側に向くようにコネクタ接続本体７に設けることである。
【００２９】
電線取付部１０としては、受電用のワイヤハーネス４を取り付けることができるならばどのように構成してもよく、例えば、コネクタ接続本体７の長手方向の両端部近傍にワイヤハーネス４を係合する凹状の取付部を設けて、この凹状の取付部内にワイヤハーネス４を挿入して取り付けるようにしてもよいが、図示するように、コネクタ接続本体７の長手方向の両端部近傍にそれぞれ穿設された取付孔２８、２８と、ワイヤハーネス４に取り付けられると共にその取付孔２８に挿入されて係合する取付部材２９とからなることが好ましい。
【００３０】
取付部材２９は、ワイヤハーネス４に固定されて取付孔２８に挿入係合されるものであればどのようなものでもよく、例えば、ワイヤハーネス４の外表面にその周方向に沿って取り付けられるバンド等の長尺部材等が用いられる。この取付部材２９には、例えば２つの可撓性の係止腕３０、３０を有する突状のクリップ３１が設けられ、このクリップ３１を取付孔２８に挿入すると、係止腕３０、３０が可撓して取付孔２８を貫通した後、係止腕３０、３０が元の形状に戻り、取付孔２８を形成する壁に係止腕３０、３０の先端部が係合して貫通方向後方への移動が防止されると共に取付部材２９がコネクタ接続本体７に接触して貫通方向前方への移動が防止されて、取付部材２９がコネクタ接続本体７に係合されるようになっている。
取付孔２８、２８の位置及び取付部材２９のワイヤハーネス４の取付位置は、取付部材２９、２９を介してワイヤハーネス４をコネクタ接続本体７に取り付けたとき、コネクタ部９に係止された給電用のコネクタ３の近傍であってそのコネクタ３側に受電用のコネクタ５が位置されるようなワイヤハーネスの所定の２箇所にそれぞれ取り付けるようにすることが好ましい。
【００３１】
さて、このコネクタ接続装置１を用いて、給電側のワイヤハーネス２のコネクタ（雌コネクタ）３と受電側のワイヤハーネス４のコネクタ（雄コネクタ）５とを嵌合して電気的に接続するには、まず、固定部材例えばボルトを装着片８の貫通孔１３に挿入貫通してボルタの先端部を例えば車体の所定の箇所のボルト螺合孔（図示せず）に螺合して、コネクタ接続本体７を車体に固着する。
その車体に配索されている給電側のワイヤハーネス２の図示例では５つの雌コネクタ３を、コネクタ接続本体７のコネクタ部９の６つコネクタ係合部１６に順次ワイヤハーネス２の長手方向に沿ってスライド係合させて係止させる。なお、コネクタ接続本体７の車体への固着及び雌コネクタ３のコネクタ部９への係止は、同時に行ってもよいし、どちらかを先に行って残りを後で行うようにしてもよい。
【００３２】
そして、受電側のワイヤハーネス４の所定の２箇所に、それぞれ取付部材２９、２９を取り付ける。取付部材２９の取付は、ワイヤハーネス４をコネクタ接続本体７に取り付けたとき、ワイヤハーネス４の基幹から分岐されている分岐箇所が雌コネクタ３側に向くようにすることが好ましい。
取付部材２９、２９のクリップ３１をコネクタ接続本体７の２つの取付孔２８、２８に挿入して係合することで、ワイヤハーネス４がコネクタ接続本体７に取り付けられる。
【００３３】
このように、ワイヤハーネス４に取り付けた取付部材２９のクリップ３１をコネクタ接続本体７の取付孔２８、２８に挿入係合することで、ワイヤハーネス４がコネクタ接続本体７に取り付けられるため、コネクタ接続本体７には取付孔２８が形成されているので、コネクタ接続本体７を固着してから他の部材等を車体に装着するときには邪魔になることがなく、破損等の心配もない。すなわち、電線取付部１０として、例えば、コネクタ接続本体７にワイヤハーネス４を係合する凹状の取付部を立設させると、この立設した取付部が他の部材等を車体に装着するときに邪魔になることがあったり、接触して破損等したりする心配があるが、電線取付部１０を取付孔２８と取付部材２９とから構成することで、その心配もない。
【００３４】
受電側のワイヤハーネス４をコネクタ接続本体７に取り付けてから、雄コネクタ５の先端部を、コネクタ接続本体７に係止された雌コネクタ３の嵌合部内に挿入して嵌合し、雌雄コネクタ３、５を電気的に接続する。
【００３５】
このように、雄コネクタ５を雌コネクタ３に挿入嵌合するとき、雌コネクタ３がコネクタ接続本体７に係止されているので、雄コネクタ５のみを手で掴んで、片手で雌雄コネクタ３、５の接続を行え、両手で行う場合に比して容易に雌雄コネクタ３、５を接続することができる。
【００３６】
また、受電側のワイヤハーネス４が電線取付部１０を介してコネクタ接続本体７に取り付けられていることで、そのワイヤハーネス４が例えば弛んだりしてコネクタ接続本体７から離れることがないので、コネクタの接続がさらに容易に行える。
【００３７】
したがって、コネクタ接続本体７に雌コネクタ３が係止されていると共に、受電側のワイヤハーネス４が電線取付部１０を介してコネクタ接続本体７に取り付けられているので、コネクタを作業効率よく接続することができる。
【００３８】
また、コネクタ部９は、複数図示例では６つの雌コネクタ３を並列に係止し得るようにコネクタ係合部を６つ設けたので、複数図示例では５つの雌雄コネクタ３、５を接続するときには、雌コネクタ３を並列に係止することができ、複数の雌雄コネクタ３、５の接続を容易に行える。
【００３９】
また、平板状のコネクタ接続本体７の表面に電線取付部１０が設けられていると共に、このコネクタ接続本体１０の縁部にコネクタ部９が設けられているので、コネクタ３、５の接続を一層容易に行うことができる。このとき、コネクタ部９が、電線取付部１０が設けられたコネクタ接続本体７の表面に嵌合凹部６の開口端部が臨むように雌コネクタ３をコネクタ接続本体７に係止するように形成されているので、雄コネクタ５を雌コネクタ３に嵌合接続し易く、より一層コネクタ３、５の接続を容易に行える。
【００４０】
また、ワイヤハーネス４は、ワイヤハーネス４の基幹から雄コネクタ５が分岐されている箇所（分岐）が雌コネクタ３側に向くようにコネクタ接続本体７に取り付けられていると、分岐箇所から雄コネクタ５までの分岐線４ａが捩れ難いので、電気的に良好にコネクタ３、５の接続を行える。すなわち、分岐箇所が雌コネクタ３と反対側に位置されていると、雄コネクタ５を嵌合接続したとき、その雄コネクタ５と分岐箇所とを結ぶ分岐線４ａは分岐箇所の反対側に導かれるので、その電線が捩れることがある。このように、電線が捩れると、断線の原因にもなることがあり得るので、極力電線は直線又は直線に近い状態、つまり捩れ難い状態で配線を行いたい。
【００４１】
【発明の効果】
以上要するに請求項１又は２に記載の発明によれば、複数のコネクタの接続を容易に行え、コネクタを作業効率よく接続することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明のコネクタ接続装置の一例を示す斜視図である。
【図２】本発明の給電側のコネクタの一例を示す斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１コネクタ接続装置
２ワイヤハーネス（給電側の電線）
３給電用のコネクタ（雌コネクタ）
４ワイヤハーネス（受電側の電線）
５受電用のコネクタ（雄コネクタ）
６嵌合凹部
７コネクタ接続本体
９コネクタ部
１０電線取付部
１６コネクタ係合部
２８取付孔
２９取付部材[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector connecting apparatus and a method for connecting a connector attached to an electric wire and a connector attached to another electric wire with high work efficiency.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, various electric devices such as a light, a lamp, and a wiper driving device are mounted on an automobile, and these electric devices are driven by power supply from a battery. The wire harness connected to the battery is routed around the vehicle body along the vehicle body, and is branched from the trunk in the middle, and a connector is attached to this connector, and the connector attached to the wire harness connected to the electrical equipment Are electrically connected. For example, a plurality of connectors on the power supply side wire harness and a plurality of connectors on the power reception side wire harness are fitted and connected above a tire in an engine room in front of an automobile.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in order to connect the connector on the power feeding side and the connector on the power receiving side, after the wiring harness on the power feeding side is routed to the vehicle body or the like, the electric harness is attached to the vehicle body, and then the wire harness on the power receiving side is routed. The power receiving side connector and the power feeding side connector are respectively held by separate hands, and the connectors are brought into contact with each other, for example, fitted to be electrically connected. This is because the wire harness on the power feeding side is fixed to the vehicle body etc. in some places, but the connector is in a free state where it is not fixed, and the power receiving side connector is also not fixed, The connector cannot be engaged unless one of the connectors is grasped by one hand and the other connector is grasped by the other hand. Since the connector cannot be connected unless both hands are used in this way, the connector connection work efficiency is poor.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector connecting device and a method thereof that can efficiently connect the connectors.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a connector connecting device according to the present invention includes a plurality of branching devices that are branched from a main part of a wire harness connected to a power supply device and spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction thereof. A power supply connector and a plurality of power reception connectors provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the wire harness connected to an electric device such as a driving device and the like. An attachment piece fixed to a fixed body such as a vehicle body in a connector connecting device in which the power receiving connector is inserted into the fitting recess of the power feeding connector from the tip portion, and is fitted and connected. A connector portion in which a plurality of connector engaging portions for locking the plurality of power feeding connectors in the same direction by slide fitting are provided in parallel at a predetermined interval; and the power receiving connector Is made of connector body integrally molded with a mounting portion that is attached is being wire harness provided (claim 1).
[0005]
By configuring in this way, one connector is locked to the connector portion of the connector connection body mounted on a fixed body such as a vehicle body, so that only the other connector can be grasped by hand and connected to one connector. Yes, you can connect the connector with one hand. Also, the unit Mounting provided in connector body, by attaching the wire harness other connector is attached, since no the wiring harness is separated from the to connector body loosened example, the connection of the connectors Easy to do. Moreover, since one of the plurality of connectors can be locked in parallel, the plurality of connectors can be easily connected. Therefore, the connector can be connected with high work efficiency.
[0013]
Further, the connector connecting method of the present invention includes a plurality of power feeding connectors provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the wire harness branched from the backbone of the wire harness connected to the power supply device. A plurality of power receiving connectors that are branched from a trunk to a wire harness connected to an electrical device such as a driving device and are provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction thereof, and the power feeding connector In the connector connecting method in which the power receiving connector is inserted into the fitting concave portion from the tip portion and fitted and connected to be electrically connected, the mounting piece of the connector connecting body is fixed to a fixed body such as a vehicle body, The plurality of power feeding connectors are locked in the same direction by slide fitting to a connector portion of a connector connecting body provided with a plurality of connector engaging portions in parallel at intervals, and connected to a connector. In the state where the wire harness provided with the power receiving connector is attached to the attachment portion of the power connection body, the power receiving connector is inserted into the fitting recess of the power feeding connector from the distal end portion. The electrical connector and the power receiving connector are electrically connected to each other (Claim 2) .
[0014]
With this configuration, when one connector is connected to the connector (the other connector) attached to the wire harness attached to the connector connection body, one connector is locked to the connector connection body. The connector can be connected with one hand. In addition, since the wire harness to which the other connector is connected is attached to the connector connection main body, the wire harness can be easily connected without being loosened, for example, from the connector connection main body. Moreover, since one of the plurality of connectors can be locked in parallel, the plurality of connectors can be easily connected. Therefore, the connector can be connected with high work efficiency.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view showing a connector connecting device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a connector connecting device, which is mounted in an engine room of an automobile, for example, and includes a connector 3 of a power supply side electric wire 2 and a connector 5 of a power receiving side electric wire 4. Are electrically connected.
[0016]
The electric wire on the power supply side is, for example, a wire harness 2 connected to a power supply device such as a battery, and a power supply connector 3 branched from the backbone is provided in a part of the wire harness 2. Depending on the wiring harness 2, five power supply connectors 3 are provided in the illustrated example. These power feeding connectors 3 are arranged at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the wire harness 2 and are female connectors provided with a fitting recess 6 into which a power receiving connector 5 is fitted at the tip. It is.
[0017]
The electric wire on the power receiving side, for example, the wire harness 4 is connected to an electric device such as a light, a lamp, and a wiper driving device. The wire harness 4 is provided with a plurality of, for example, five power receiving connectors 5 connected to each electrical device via branch lines 4a branched from the trunk. The power receiving connector 5 is provided at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the wire harness 4, and is inserted into (inserted into) the fitting recess 6 of the power feeding connector 3. The power receiving connector (male connector) 5 and the power feeding connector (female connector) 3 are fitted and connected so that the male and female connectors 3 and 5 are electrically connected. As shown in the figure, the male and female connectors 3 and 5 have a fitting shape that can be fitted in only one direction when the connectors are fitted (for example, even if the male connector 5 is inserted into the female connector 3 in the opposite direction) It is preferable to form in a shape that cannot be performed. Further, when the male and female connectors 3 and 5 are fitted, the protrusion (not shown) of the engaging piece 3a of the female connector 3 and the engaging recess 5a of the male connector 5 are engaged, and the male connector 3 is pulled out. While being prevented, the front-end | tip part of the male connector 5 contacts the wall of the fitting recessed part 6 of the female connector 3, and the movement to the front of the fitting direction of the male connector 5 is prevented.
[0018]
The connector connection device 1 includes a connector connection main body 7 having a mounting piece 8 that is detachably fixed to a fixed body such as a vehicle body . The connector connection main body 7 further includes, for example, a connector portion 9 that locks a power supply connector 3. And an electric wire attachment portion 10 as an attachment portion to which the wire harness 4 is attached.
As shown in FIG. 1, the wire connecting portion 10, the mounting piece 8, and the connector portion 9 of the connector connecting body 7 are elongated rectangular plate shapes so that a plurality of, for example, six power feeding connectors 3 can be locked in parallel. It is integrally formed by y de molding of synthetic resin.
In the illustrated example, the connector connecting body 7 is formed in an elongated and substantially rectangular plate shape, but is not limited thereto, and for example, a circular shape, a semicircular shape, an elliptical shape, a semielliptical shape, a polygonal shape, and the like. You may form in any shape.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the connector 3 for power supply is locked to the connector connection main body 7, but the connector 5 for power reception may be locked.
[0019]
Mounting pieces 8 and 8 are provided in the vicinity of one end and the other end of one edge (first edge) 7a of the long side edge of the connector connection main body 7, respectively.
The mounting piece 8 extends along the surface of the connector connecting body 7 and extends from the first edge portion 7a along the substantially width direction thereof, the substantially central portion of the extending portion 11 and the first edge. It is bent in the vicinity of the portion 7a and is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section from the mounting portion 12 that contacts the vehicle body. The bending angle of the mounting piece 8 is not particularly limited, and is preferably set to an arbitrary angle so that the connectors 3 and 5 can be easily connected when the connector connecting body 7 is mounted on a vehicle body, for example. Is, for example, 60 °.
[0020]
Each mounting portion 12 is provided with a through hole 13, and fixing members such as bolts and screws are inserted through the through holes 13 so that the connector connecting body 7 is detachably fixed to a fixed body such as a vehicle body. It is like that.
The surface of the connector connection main body 7 on the side where the mounting piece 8 is bent is a front surface, and the surface from a part of the front surface of the connector connection main body 7 to the end of the extension portion 11 on the mounting portion side, A triangular reinforcing plate 14 that continuously connects the surface from the end portion to the substantially central portion of the mounting portion 12 is integrally provided. The reinforcing plate 14 extends along a direction substantially orthogonal to the connector connecting body 7 and the mounting piece 8, and a plurality of, for example, two or three, for example, a predetermined number are provided on each mounting piece 8 along the longitudinal direction of the connector connecting body 7. The mounting piece 8 is prevented from being deformed.
[0021]
The other long side edge (second edge) 7b of the connector connecting body 7 is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connector connecting body 7 and opposite to the direction in which the mounting piece 8 is bent. An extending connector portion 9 is provided. The connector portion 9 is formed in an elongated rectangular plate shape, and is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section by the connector connecting body 7 and the connector portion 9. This angle is approximately 90 °, but is not limited to this, and may be set to another angle so that the connector can be easily locked.
The inner side of the connector portion 9 is a back surface, and a plurality of triangular reinforcing plates 15 that continuously connect the back surface and the back surface of the connector connection body 7 are integrally provided so that deformation of the connector portion 9 is prevented. It has become. The reinforcing plate 15 may extend along a direction substantially orthogonal to the connector connection body 7 and the connector portion 9 and may be provided in plural along the longitudinal direction of the connector connection body 7 at a predetermined interval. A plurality of mounting pieces 8 may be provided only in the portion where the mounting pieces 8 are provided.
[0022]
A plurality of connector engaging portions 16 are provided on the surface of the connector portion 9 in parallel along the longitudinal direction at predetermined intervals to lock the power supply connector 3 attached to the wire harness 2 on the power supply side. ing. The number of connector engaging portions 16 is preferably the same as the maximum number of connectors that can be branched from the backbone of the wire harness 2 on the power supply side.
The connector engaging portion 16 may be configured in any way as long as it can lock the power feeding connector 3 so that the power receiving connector 5 can be engaged, but preferably, as shown in the figure. a connector engaging in so that engages distal portion of the connector 3 for feeding the engaged (front end portion of the fitting recess 6) toward the surface and being positioned on substantially the same plane and the same direction of the connector body 7 It is preferable to form the slide engaging portion 17 of the power feeding connector 3 that engages with the joint portion 16 and the connector engaging portion 16 thereof.
[0023]
Specifically, the connector engaging portion 16 includes a pair of guide rails 18 and 18 and an engaging protrusion 19 provided between the guide rails 18 and 18.
The pair of guide rails 18, 18 extend along the width direction of the connector portion 9, and are erected along a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the connector portion 9 in parallel with the surface of the connector portion 9. The front ends of the pair of guide rails 18 and 18 are bent substantially at a right angle on the opposite side to the opposite direction, and are formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section. The bent portion is formed as the engaging pieces 20, 20, slide engaging portion 17 of the connector for power supply is engaged.
[0024]
A first wall portion 21 that closes the inside of the engagement pieces 20, 20 is formed at the end of the pair of guide rails 18, 18 opposite to the connector connection main body 7.
A space between the pair of guide rails 18 and 18 is formed as a concave groove portion 22, and a flexible lock piece 23 as an engagement protrusion 19 is provided in the groove portion 22. The lock piece 23 is formed in a plate shape extending along the longitudinal direction of the groove portion 22, and one end portion thereof is attached in the vicinity of the end portion of the groove portion 22 on the connector connection body 7 side, and the other end portion is a connector. It is located above the bottom of the groove 22 on the side opposite to the connection body 7 side, and is formed to be flexible along the depth direction of the groove 22.
Although the plurality of connector engaging portions 16 are arranged in parallel, they may be arranged in two or more stages. In this case, the connector portion 9 may be formed so that the plurality of connector engaging portions 16 are multistage, or the connector connection body 7 is formed so that the plurality of connector engaging portions 16 are multistage. Also good.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 2, the slide engagement portion 17 that is slidably engaged with the connector engagement portion 16 includes a pair of slide portions 24, 24 provided on the outer surface of the bottom wall 3 a of the power feeding connector 3. It consists of an engaging projection 25.
A pair of slide parts 24 and 24 are extended along the fitting direction of the connector 3, and are standingly arranged along the direction substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall 3a. The distal end portion of the slide portion 24 is bent at a substantially right angle in the opposite direction to be formed as a slide engagement piece 26 and has a substantially L-shaped cross section. The interval between the pair of slide portions 24, 24 is formed to be substantially the same as or slightly longer than the interval between the tip portions of the pair of engagement pieces 20, 20, and the length of the slide engagement piece 26 is the engagement piece. The power supply connector 3 is slidably engaged with the connector engagement portion 16 by sliding the slide engagement piece 26 positioned inside the engagement piece 20. It has become so.
[0026]
The length of the pair of slide engagement pieces 26 and 26 is preferably formed to have substantially the same dimension as the length of the engagement piece 20. A second wall portion 27 that closes the inside of the slide engagement pieces 26, 26 is formed at the end of the pair of slide engagement pieces 26, 26 on the opening side of the fitting recess 6. And the connector engaging portion 16 are slidably engaged with each other, the sliding engagement piece 26 is brought into contact with the first wall portion 21 at the front end in the fitting direction, and / or the engagement piece of the second wall portion 27 is engaged. The contact of the connector 20 on the connector connection body 7 side with the connector 20 prevents the power feeding connector 3 from moving forward in the fitting direction.
[0027]
Further, between the pair of slide portions 24, 24 of the bottom wall 3 a of the power feeding connector 3, an engagement protrusion 25 that engages with the tip of the lock piece 23 is provided. When the 26 comes into contact with the first wall 21 or the second wall 27 comes into contact with the end of the engagement piece 20 on the connector connection main body 7 side, the tip of the lock piece 23 engages with the engagement recess 6. Accordingly, the power feeding connector 3 is prevented from moving backward in the slide engagement direction, and the power feeding connector 3 is locked to the connector portion 9. In this way, when the power feeding connector 3 is locked to the connector portion 9, the opening of the fitting recess 6 of the power feeding connector 3 is positioned substantially on the same plane as the surface of the connector connection body 7. It is preferable to form the connector engaging portion 16 and the slide engaging portion 17.
On the front side of the engagement protrusion 25 in the fitting direction, when the connector 3 is slidably engaged with the connector engagement part 16, the tip of the lock piece 23 is gradually inclined so that the engagement protrusion 25 can easily get over the engagement protrusion 25. A tapered portion 25a is provided.
[0028]
On the surface of the connector connection main body 7, as shown in FIG. 1, an electric wire attaching portion 10 for attaching a power receiving wire harness 4 is provided.
When the power receiving wire harness 4 is mounted, the electric wire mounting portion 10 fits and connects the power receiving connector 5 attached to the wire harness 4 to the power feeding connector 3 locked to the connector portion 9. Needless to say, it is preferably provided at a position where it can be easily fitted and connected. Particularly preferably, the longitudinal direction of the wire harness 4 is substantially along the longitudinal direction of the connector connecting body 7, and the connectors 3 and 5 in the vicinity of the power feeding connector 3 locked to the connector portion 9 can be easily connected. In other words, the connector connecting body 7 is provided so that the branching point branched from the backbone of the power receiving wire harness 4 is directed to the power feeding connector 3 side.
[0029]
The wire attachment portion 10 may be configured in any manner as long as the power receiving wire harness 4 can be attached. For example, the wire harness 4 is engaged in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connector connection body 7. A concave attachment portion may be provided, and the wire harness 4 may be inserted and attached into the concave attachment portion. However, as shown in the figure, the connector connection main body 7 is formed in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction. It is preferable that the mounting holes 28 and 28 are attached to the wire harness 4 and the mounting member 29 is inserted into the mounting hole 28 and engaged therewith.
[0030]
The attachment member 29 may be any member as long as it is fixed to the wire harness 4 and inserted and engaged with the attachment hole 28. For example, a band attached to the outer surface of the wire harness 4 along the circumferential direction thereof. A long member such as is used. The mounting member 29 is provided with a projecting clip 31 having, for example, two flexible locking arms 30, 30. When the clip 31 is inserted into the mounting hole 28, the locking arms 30, 30 are allowed. After bending and passing through the mounting hole 28, the locking arms 30, 30 return to the original shape, and the distal ends of the locking arms 30, 30 engage with the wall forming the mounting hole 28 and move backward in the penetration direction. The attachment member 29 comes into contact with the connector connection main body 7 and is prevented from moving forward in the penetrating direction, so that the attachment member 29 is engaged with the connector connection main body 7.
The positions of the attachment holes 28 and 28 and the attachment position of the wire harness 4 on the attachment member 29 are determined when the wire harness 4 is attached to the connector connecting body 7 via the attachment members 29 and 29. It is preferable that they are respectively attached to two predetermined locations of the wire harness where the power receiving connector 5 is positioned on the connector 3 side in the vicinity of the connector 3 for power supply.
[0031]
Now, using this connector connecting device 1, the connector (female connector) 3 of the wire harness 2 on the power supply side and the connector (male connector) 5 of the wire harness 4 on the power receiving side are fitted and electrically connected. First, a fixing member such as a bolt is inserted and penetrated into the through hole 13 of the mounting piece 8, and the tip of the volta is screwed into a bolt screw hole (not shown) at a predetermined position of the vehicle body to connect the connector. The main body 7 is fixed to the vehicle body.
In the illustrated example of the wire harness 2 on the power feeding side arranged in the vehicle body, five female connectors 3 are sequentially connected to the six connector engaging portions 16 of the connector portion 9 of the connector connecting body 7 in the longitudinal direction of the wire harness 2. It is slid along and locked. Note that the connector connection main body 7 may be fixed to the vehicle body and the female connector 3 may be locked to the connector portion 9 at the same time, or either one may be performed first and the rest performed later.
[0032]
Then, attachment members 29 and 29 are attached to two predetermined locations of the wire harness 4 on the power receiving side, respectively. The attachment member 29 is preferably attached such that when the wire harness 4 is attached to the connector connection main body 7, the branch portion branched from the trunk of the wire harness 4 faces the female connector 3 side.
The wire harness 4 is attached to the connector connection body 7 by inserting and engaging the clips 31 of the attachment members 29 and 29 into the two attachment holes 28 and 28 of the connector connection body 7.
[0033]
As described above, the clip 31 of the attachment member 29 attached to the wire harness 4 is inserted and engaged with the attachment holes 28 and 28 of the connector connection body 7, so that the wire harness 4 is attached to the connector connection body 7. Since the mounting hole 28 is formed in the main body 7, there is no hindrance when attaching another member or the like to the vehicle body after the connector connecting main body 7 is fixed, and there is no fear of breakage. That is, for example, when a concave attachment portion that engages the wire harness 4 is erected on the connector connection body 7 as the electric wire attachment portion 10, the erected attachment portion attaches another member or the like to the vehicle body. Although there is a concern that it may get in the way or break due to contact, there is no concern about it by configuring the wire mounting portion 10 from the mounting hole 28 and the mounting member 29.
[0034]
After the wire harness 4 on the power receiving side is attached to the connector connecting body 7, the distal end portion of the male connector 5 is inserted into the fitting portion of the female connector 3 locked to the connector connecting body 7, and is fitted. 3 and 5 are electrically connected.
[0035]
Thus, when the male connector 5 is inserted and fitted into the female connector 3, the female connector 3 is locked to the connector connecting body 7, so that only the male connector 5 is grasped by hand and the male and female connectors 3 are The male and female connectors 3 and 5 can be easily connected as compared with the case of using both hands.
[0036]
Moreover, since the wire harness 4 on the power receiving side is attached to the connector connection main body 7 via the electric wire attachment portion 10, the wire harness 4 is not loosened and separated from the connector connection main body 7. Can be connected more easily.
[0037]
Therefore, since the female connector 3 is locked to the connector connecting body 7 and the wire harness 4 on the power receiving side is attached to the connector connecting body 7 via the electric wire attaching portion 10, the connector is connected efficiently. be able to.
[0038]
Further, since the connector portion 9 is provided with six connector engaging portions so that the six female connectors 3 can be locked in parallel in the plural illustrated example, the five male and female connectors 3 and 5 are connected in the plural illustrated example. Sometimes, the female connector 3 can be locked in parallel, and a plurality of male and female connectors 3 and 5 can be easily connected.
[0039]
Moreover, since the electric wire attachment part 10 is provided in the surface of the flat connector connection main body 7, and the connector part 9 is provided in the edge of this connector connection main body 10, the connection of the connectors 3 and 5 is carried out further. It can be done easily. At this time, the connector portion 9 is formed so that the female connector 3 is locked to the connector connection body 7 so that the opening end of the fitting recess 6 faces the surface of the connector connection body 7 provided with the wire attachment portion 10. Therefore, the male connector 5 can be easily fitted and connected to the female connector 3, and the connectors 3 and 5 can be further easily connected.
[0040]
Further, when the wire harness 4 is attached to the connector connecting body 7 so that the portion (branch) where the male connector 5 is branched from the trunk of the wire harness 4 faces the female connector 3 side, Since the branch lines 4a up to 5 are difficult to twist, the connectors 3 and 5 can be electrically connected well. In other words, when the branch point is located on the side opposite to the female connector 3, when the male connector 5 is fitted and connected, the branch line 4a connecting the male connector 5 and the branch point is led to the opposite side of the branch point. Therefore, the electric wire may be twisted. As described above, if the electric wire is twisted, it may cause a disconnection. Therefore, the electric wire is desired to be wired in a straight line or a state close to a straight line as much as possible, that is, in a state in which it is difficult to twist.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
In short, according to the invention described in claim 1 or 2 , a plurality of connectors can be easily connected, and the connectors can be connected efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector connection device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector on the power feeding side of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Connector connection device 2 Wire harness (electric wire on the power supply side)
3 Power supply connector (female connector)
4 Wire harness (power-receiving-side wire)
5 Power receiving connector (male connector)
6 fitting recess 7 connector connecting body 9 connector 10 wire mounting part 16 connector engaging part 28 mounting hole 29 mounting member

Claims

Branched from the core of the wire harness connected to the power supply device, and connected to a plurality of power feeding connectors provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction, and to electrical equipment such as a drive device. A plurality of power receiving connectors that are branched from the backbone of the wire harness and are provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the wire harness, and the power receiving connector is fitted in the fitting recess of the power feeding connector. In the connector connecting device that is inserted from the tip portion and fitted and connected electrically,
A mounting piece fixed to a fixed body such as a vehicle body and a plurality of connector engaging portions for locking the plurality of power feeding connectors in the same direction by slide fitting are provided in parallel at predetermined intervals. A connector connecting device comprising: an integrally formed connector connecting body having a connector portion and a mounting portion to which a wire harness provided with the power receiving connector is attached .

Branched from the core of the wire harness connected to the power supply device, and connected to a plurality of power feeding connectors provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction, and to electrical equipment such as a drive device. A plurality of power receiving connectors that are branched from the backbone of the wire harness and are provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the wire harness, and the power receiving connector is fitted in the fitting recess of the power feeding connector. In the connection method of the connector that is inserted from the tip portion and fitted and connected electrically,
The mounting piece of the connector connection main body is fixed to a fixed body such as a vehicle body, and a plurality of connector engaging portions are provided in parallel at a predetermined interval. The connector for the power supply is locked in the same direction, and the wire harness provided with the power receiving connector is attached to the attachment portion of the connector connection main body, and the fitting recess of the power supply connector is A connector connection method, wherein a power receiving connector is inserted from a distal end portion to electrically connect the power feeding connector and the power receiving connector .